May 12, 2016

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Cal Poly alumnus headed to Rio Olympics

CAL POLY ATHLETICS | COURTESY PHOTO GRAPPLING WITH SUCCESS | The No. 17 wrestler in the world in his weight class, former Cal Poly wrestler Boris Novachkov (top) will head to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games to compete for Bulgaria.

Keenan Donath @CPMustangSports

Former Cal Poly wrestler Boris Novachkov will represent Bulgaria in this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Novachkov placed first in the 65-kilogram (143-pound) weight class at the aptly named Last Chance Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul, Turkey this past weekend, beating highly-lauded American Frank Molinaro during the quarterfinals portion of the event.

Novachkov, often referred to as

Borislav, went on to beat an opponent from Belarus in the semifinals, then claimed the finals match on an injury default from Canada’s Antonio Veranes Garcia.

He will head to Rio de Janeiro as the benefactor of some unusual circumstances. While Novachkov might have gotten a lucky break on Sunday, he boasts arguably the best career in the history of Cal Poly’s wrestling program.

The Bulgarian made a name for himself early by excelling on the mat. Competing in multiple weight classes, Novachkov

became the first wrestler in Cal Poly history to claim NCAA All-American honors three times.

His closest call with the nation’s top spot came in 2011. As a junior, he finished runner up in the 141-pound weight class at that year’s NCAA national championships. In four years in San Luis Obispo, Novachkov compiled an exceptional 121-33 record.

The former kinesiology student originally hails from Radnevo, Bulgaria but moved to California shortly before starting high school. Novachkov decided to

attend Cal Poly partly because he wanted to wrestle alongside his older brother Filip, an accomplished Mustang in his own right.

Novachkov is far from the first former Mustang athlete to compete in the Olympics. Stephanie Brown Trafton became the first Cal Poly graduate to take home a gold medal for the United States when she finished first in women’s discus at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Other Cal Poly athletes who competed in Beijing include American Sharon Day for

women’s high jump and Canadian Jimmy Van Ostrand for baseball.

Novachkov has a tall task ahead of him if he hopes to mirror the success of Brown Trafton. According to a ranking by United World Wrestling, he stands as the No. 17 wrestler in the world for his weight class.

The dual citizen of Bulgaria and the United States will compete in the freestyle portion of the event. All Olympic wrestling matches are set to take place August 14-21 in Rio’s Olympic Training Center.

Students celebrate Israel Independence Day on Dexter Lawn

JOSEPH PACK | MUSTANG NE WS FIRST | Above, Hoodie Allen performs in last year’s Spring Stampede ­­— the first event of its kind on campus.

Spring Stampede date released, but artists still not finalized Will Peischel @CPMustangSports

Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) posted a Facebook event Monday labelled “Spring Stampede 2016,” offering some insight on the upcoming event. According to the page, Spring Stampede is slated for the afternoon of Saturday, June 4 at the Cal Poly

Sports Complex.

Box the Oxford, winners of the ASI and KCPR-presented Battle of the Bands in April, will open for artists that are yet to be announced.

According Ryan Viggiano, the musical entertainment assistant at ASI Events, anticipated artists are close to being confirmed, but ASI doesn’t want to release information that is not

completely guaranteed. Viggiano said that information should be made public in the coming days.

Approximately 4,200 students showed up for last year’s Spring Stampede, which featured Sage the Gemini, Hoodie Allen and The Knocks. Tickets to this year’s Spring Stampede will be available for $10 on Monday, May 16.

CASEY PONTRELLI | MUSTANG NE WS CELEBRATE | The event on Dexter Lawn had bounce houses and a wall for students to spray paint.

Casey Pontrelli Special to Mustang News

Mustangs United for Israel (MUFI) brought a little slice of the Middle East to Dexter Lawn in celebration of Israel’s Independence Day. The day celebrates when the State of Israel was established — May 14, 1948, or Iyar 5 on the Hebrew calendar. In Israel, people often celebrate by having have barbecues or flying the national flag. MUFI wanted to bring the festivities to Cal Poly

this year, MUFI President Tal Edelstein said.

“If you’ve ever been to Israel, (it) is just the epitome of happiness,” Edelstein, a business administration senior, said. “The UN ranks it as one of the top happiest places in the world. What we decided to do was just bring that happiness to Cal Poly, to Dexter Lawn.”

The event consisted of two bounce houses, informational posters about Israel, a graffiti board and other games, all while

Israeli music played. As an added bonus, falafel pita wraps, baklava and Israeli snacks called Bamba and Bisli were provided. There was also some MUFI and Israel swag — sunglasses, bracelets and shirts.

“I love that they’re doing this,” psychology sophomore Madison Strauss said. “I had no idea MUFI was putting this on, but, as a Jewish person, it’s so cool to see my culture represented on campus.”

Continued on page 2

Greek Week raises funds and spirits

How El Nino failed the Central Coast

Exploring Southeast Asia

Baseball struggles against Bulldogs

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Thursday, May 12, 2016

NEWS | 2

Greek Week raises funds and spirits K ATE GR ANLUND | COURTESY PHOTO GREEK WEEK GOES ALL OUT | Greek Week raised nearly $800 more this year than it did in 2015 for the nonprofit Jack’s Helping Hand, which helps with funding and any miscellaneous needs for children with cancer.

Gina Randazzo @Gina_Randazzo1

Cal Poly’s greek life participated in its annual Greek Week, where different Panhellenic, Interfraternity (IFC) and United Sorority and Fraternity Council (USFC) chapters teamed up to compete against each other in sporting, community service and fundraising events.

The week started April 28, when greek life members were encouraged to participate in Safer’s “Take Back the Night,” an event raising awareness of sexual and domestic violence.

The next day, greek life members participated in “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,” where men walked a mile in high heels in an effort to raise awareness about rape, sexual assault and gender-based violence.

Greek life made up approximately half of the total participants and was the largest community group to take part in the walk.

Greek Week teams, named after constellations to honor the week’s “Out of This World” theme, were each made up of three or four different chapters.

Each team gained points by winning sporting events and games, having participants at service events and rais-

ing money for the week’s beneficiary, chapters do their own community service Jack’s Helping Hand, which helps chil- and raise money for their own philandren with cancer and special needs thropies during the year, it’s rewarding who have unmet physical, mental to see everyone come together for a comand medical needs in the community. mon goal of service.

The week raised $4,250 for Jack’s Help“Having one week where everyone ing Hand, through restaurant fundraisers, is committed to this is what I Lip Sync ticket sales and various like to see,” Chang said. games during the week. This “What I’d like to see was $795 more than last (in future years) year’s total of $3,455. is coming back Teams also rewith bigger ceived points for and better donating cans to numbers.”

It reminds me that this is why the Food Bank Vice PresI joined greek life, because I’m Coalition of San ident of Luis Obispo. In the Programa part of something so much process, 3,910 cans ming for bigger than myself, and look were donated.

Pan hel lenic what we can do together.

On May 8, Service and communiDay, teams gave a total cation studies juKATE GRANLUND of 690 service hours to ornior Kate Granlund ganizations such as Growing said that Greek Week’s Grounds, Dunes Center, Boys and service events and fundraising Girls Club, Child Development Resource reminds her of why she joined greek life.

Center and the City of San Luis Obispo “I think it brings ourselves back to our Parks and Recreation Department. values,” Granlund said. “It reminds me Vice President of Programming for IFC that this is why I joined greek life, beand biomedical engineering senior War- cause I’m a part of something so much ren Chang said that though individual bigger than myself, and look what we

can do together.”

Greek Week came to a close May 9, as Team Leo (Alpha Chi Omega, Sigma Pi and Theta Chi) walked away as Greek Week champions.

Though winning is always fun, USFC Vice President of Greek Relations and sociology junior Catelyn Agbayani said that on top of giving back to the community, Greek Week is really about fostering relationships that may not have otherwise been formed.

“I just liked seeing people participating and enjoying one another,” Agbayani said. “We learned so much from each other in such a small amount of time.

During the week, you expand more with other chapters.”

Granlund also said all of Cal Poly greek life ultimately shares the same values.

“Throughout the year we can get focused on social aspects (of greek life) and everything can get borderline surface level,” Granlund said. “This week is an end of the year reminder to forget about those exchanges and forget about those dinners. No matter what organization you’re paired with you can see that this is our chance to come together and do something good.”

Continued from page 1

CASEY PONTRELLI | MUSTANG NE WS EDUCATE | The event included informational posters to teach students about Israel.

Students drifted in and out of the event, playing on the bounce houses, grabbing food before class or checking out the posters.

“I came by immediately when I heard they were giving out food,” psychology junior Monica Friar said. “But then I stayed, because all this stuff is super cool. I may even spray paint the graffiti board.”

The celebration on Dexter Lawn was new, as is MUFI. This is its first year on campus. MUFI has had several smaller, more personalized events, but

this event was much more generalized, according to Edelstein.

“This is different …

You’re walking by? Come grab a bite of pita, a bite of falafel,” Edelstein said.

“From that standpoint it’s different — it’s not targeted, it’s just, have fun.”

Edelstein said this event was something they were going to try to continue every year.

“There’s people here from … such a wide spectrum,” Edelstein said. “It attracts everyone and it’s so much fun — why not have that kind of interaction with people?”

Thursday, May 12, 2016

NEWS | 3

How El Niño failed the Central Coast JOEL ESCARENO | MUSTANG NE WS NOT EVEN CLOSE | Whale Rock Reservoir (above) barely received more water during 2015 than in years past, and is still quite a ways away from holding the same amount of water as it did prior to the drought.

Jen Silva @jesilva345

This year’s El Niño was the strongest on record, according to assistant physics professor Ryan Walter.

But Central California is nowhere near being out of the drought.

During El Niño, there are warmer than normal waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean causing an increase in rainfall. Because of this year’s El Niño, the weather broke records in terms of temperature.

But in terms of rainfall, “El Niño turned out to really be el nothing,” Cal Poly’s Director of Agricultural Operations Kevin Piper said.

This year’s lack of rain can be blamed on a “warm blob” in the Pacific Ocean, according to Walter.

The “warm blob” threw off ocean and weather temperatures in 2014 before El Niño. These different environmental conditions may explain why this El Niño was drier than the past El Niño.

“El Niño doesn’t guarantee rainfall,” Walter said.

This weaker-than-expected El Niño did little to resolve the drought conditions caused by the last five years of below-average rainfall here in San Luis

Obispo County.

The average rainfall for San Luis Obispo is 24 inches per year.

So far this year, San Luis Obispo has had approximately 18 inches, despite the expected heavier rainfall, according to San Luis Obispo County Water Resources. This has brought San Luis Obispo county reservoirs down to levels substantially lower than years past and far below its actual water capacity.

“A drought is like a bank account, you have all these withdrawals.

For the last four of five years, we’ve just been taking water out without replenishing it,” Walter said. “One year of a strong deposit doesn’t necessarily defeat the four years of withdrawals.”

The effect on reservoirs Noah Evans has seen the lack of precipitation first-hand as the supervisor of Whale Rock Reservoir.

Whale Rock Reservoir, located by Cayucos, Calif., is where Cal Poly and most of San Luis Obispo gets its water. This year has been a normal precipitation year — nothing above average from El Niño, according to Evans.

“In order to get out of the drought

we really need a couple of moist years overall to fill Whale Rock Reservoir,” Evans said.

ers lost 75 percent of its cattle in the past few years, she said. This year, however, grazing, land conditions, vineyards and some crops The effect on have improved agriculture from the rainChief Deputy fall the county Agricultural received.

CommissionCal Poly has er Brenda also struggled Ouwerkerk with maintainconfirmed El ing livestock Niño has not and crop numrestored San bers, accordLuis Obispo to ing to Piper.

“WE RELY ON A LOT OF normal levels, A large SPRINGS THAT COME but said it was amount of OUT ON THE TOP OF THE HILL S, AND WE GR AVIT Y an overall posCal Poly’s FEED ALL OF OUR WATER itive change crops and TROUGHS FROM THOSE from last year. animals have SPRINGS, SOME OF THE H o w e v e r, been impactSPRINGS HAVE COMthe drought is ed — fruits PLETEY DRIED UP IN THE still in emersuch as apples, L A ST THREE YEARS.” gency status. pears, apriA ARON L A Z ANOFF Some of the cots and avoBEEF OPERATIONS measures takcados as well MANGER en to alleviate as livestock drought conand vineyards. ditions are decreasing herd sizes, As summer approaches and buying time by “stumping” thirsty land gets drier, Piper said any efcrops like avocado trees and re- fects from the rainfall are going evaluating irrigation systems, to dry up and people will have to Ouwerkerk said. start compensating with the waSan Luis Obispo County ranch- ter resources from the reservoirs

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and wells.

“We’re closely monitoring our soil conditions, as well as plant conditions. And we’re really trying to time irrigations more effectively rather than just getting in a routine,” Piper said. “We’re only turning the water on when we really need to.”

According to Beef Operations Manager Aaron Lazanoff, Cal Poly’s cattle herd was reduced by 60 percent in the past few years due to the drought. The herd went from 285 cattle grazing in Cal Poly’s ranches throughout San Luis Obispo County to 188.

The cattle are mainly affected by the depletion of grass and lower levels of drinking water, Lazanoff said.

“We rely on a lot of springs that come out on the top of the hills, and we gravity feed all of our water troughs from those springs,” Lazanoff said. “Some of the springs have completely dried up in the last three years.”

Lazanoff said in order to protect the cattle from the drought they ensure there are not too many in the herd, they’ve added pumps for water, updated the grazing system and only allow cows on 5

percent of the ranch at one time.

These new methods have “really helped our perennial growth and protected our riparian areas and increased a lot of the green grasses that grow on the lower ground,” Lazanoff said.

Too high of expectations Agricultural workers weren’t the only ones hoping for more rain, KSBY’s Chief Meteorologist David Hovde said there was less rainfall than he expected. “I think expectations outran reality,” Hovde said in an email. “Bad narratives by some scientists calling it ‘Godzilla’ El Niño was not helpful.”

Last summer, experts quoted in The New York Times said this year’s El Niño would bring record amounts of rain. Though there was more rainfall this year than the Central Coast has had since 2010, it was still below average, according to Cal Poly’s Irrigation Training and Research Center.

According to Hovde, a La Niña is expected this next rain season, which is associated with generally warm and dry winters locally.

“It could be several years before conditions even have a chance to improve locally,” Hovde said.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

ARTS | 4

TALKING POLITICS WITH CAL POLY’S SOCIALIST CLUB THEY’RE MATERIALLY AND SOCIALLY TIED IN TO THE EXISTING MODE OF PRODUCTION, AND A REVOLUTION — WHICH IS WHAT WE’RE ADVOCATING FOR — MORE OR LESS THREATENS THEIR COMFORTABLE LIFE SITUATION.” WILL OSSELBURN

K ATIE BARNARD | MUSTANG NE WS JUST INTENTIONS | As the president of IYSSE, anthropology and geography sophomore Will Osselburn hopes to incite social change both on campus and in the world. He started the club during his freshman year.

Annie Vainshtein @annievain

International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) is a worldwide student organization of the Socialist Equality Party, dedicated to building a political program to empower the working class.

Unbeknownst to most, Cal Poly has a chapter of its own.

Anthropology and geography

sophomore and IYSSE President Will Osselburn started the club at the end of his freshman year, but deepened his involvement in building the chapter earlier this year. The club’s genesis wasn’t loud — no Facebook ads, just leaflets.

IYSSE functions like a seminar. The group meets every Wednesday night to stream the IYSSE class at University of California (UC), Berkeley via

Skype — but much of the time is spent outside of those meetings, sharing current events and discussing Marxism.

“As of now, we’re trying to build an organization of leaders,” Osselburn said. “People who are going to seriously invest themselves in history, politics and philosophy.”

IYSSE operates on the fundamental conception of Marxist socialism. It is dedicated to arranging a political program that

unshackles the working class into power, overthrowing capitalism and leading a mass movement that spans much farther than just college campuses — one that spans all over the world.

On campus, however, most of the students Osselburn said he interacts with are hesitant to get involved.

“I think it’s because there’s an extremely large middle class and wealthy contingency here,” he said. “And while a socialist program would be in their interest, the fact of the matter is they’re comfortable, they’re living a good life. They’re materially and socially tied in to the existing mode of production, and a revolution — which is what we’re advocating for — more or less threatens their comfortable life situation.”

Civil engineering sophomore and club member Christian Kelleher joined less for political reasons — he was mainly interested in the discourse. Kelleher prefers to call himself a humanist.

IYSSE represents the roots of true social change. The ending of slavery, starvation and global crisis, and the beginning of an affluent world without war — with love, peace and music, Kelleher said.

Redistribution of power is of high concern for the IYSSE, especially, as they say, in wake of a projected World War III. “We need to change, we need to evolve,” Kelleher said. “We need a collective evolution of the human race. It won’t be a physical evolution, but it will be an epithetic

one — of the mind. Where love is the new universal language.”

Philosophy junior Lorenzo Nericcio’s initial welcome into the club began through a friendship with Osselbern, who invited him to a few meetings.

However, a few theoretical disagreements have led to his recent withering involvement with IYSSE. “IYSSE clings to an old Trotskyst interpretation of Marxism, which I would argue is quite outdated, and doesn’t really fit the complexities of modern economic and socio-political problems,” Nericcio said.

IYSSE, for Nericcio, was more “orthodox” than he agreed with.

Much of what concerns Nericcio is precisely what charges members like Osselburn and Kelleher — the idea of one liberated nation-state, and a united, equal working class.

The foundation of IYSSE projects the working class as having objective interests rather than a diversity of experience.

This, according to Nerricio, can prove problematic, and illfit for the modern nuances of socio-politics.

“In their commitment to unite the working class, they fail to see that the working class is composed of many different kinds of people,” he said. “We can’t just put working class African Americans and working class white people living in different parts of the nation into the same bucket and hope the same solution will work for them.”

Despite the difference in opinion, Nericcio maintains the importance of a socialist presence on campus and lauds the hard work put forth by the IYSSE. Especially, he said, because the idealism comes from a place of true care.

“I wish people would understand that socialism came from a good place — people who promote socialism are coming from a place where they’re actually concerned about the well-being of each and every human in the society,” he said. “There’s this kind of laziness associated with socialists, like ‘Oh, you just want to get welfare checks and cruise by.’”

According to him, that is an unfair and wrong characterization.

“The primary concern of people I’ve met that everybody’s needs are attended to in society,” Nericcio said. “That there are millions of people who are getting screwed over because a few tens of people want to get super rich — which is the current situation.”

This is the first IYSSE chapter marked at Cal Poly. And that, for Osselburn, is the perfect stomping ground.

“I feel like it’s my responsibility because I have this knowledge, and because I care so much,” Osselburn said. “When I think of the more than 16 million people who are living as refugees, or the people who are going to die today because the imperialist countries in the West are trying to secure resources — when I think what’s at stake — I just need to do something about it.”

Interested in working for Mustang News?

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Thursday, May 12, 2016

ARTS | 5

Students to run Mustang Way in 5th annual Mustang Mile Regine Smith @regine321

Each year, as Cal Poly freshmen participate in Week of Welcome (WOW), they are educated on the dangers of binge drinking with the legacy of Carson Starkey. Starkey was a freshman at Cal Poly in 2008 and tragically passed away from alcohol poisoning following a fraternity hazing incident. In his honor, Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) will host the fifth annual Mustang Mile, a 5K race open

to all students.

“With the story of Carson, it started with greek life,” said Brayden Antonio, ASI special events student assistant and business administration freshman. “The organization they created is ‘Aware Awake Alive.’

With this event, we wanted to pair the pillars of the Mustang Way with the values of ‘Aware Awake Alive,’ and advocate being an active bystander and being a part of the Mustang Family.”

The Mustang Mile, which aims to encourage awareness, com-

munity and healthy activities among students, is Thursday, May 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cal Poly Recreation Center.

Students may dress up in themed costumes, race in the 5K around campus and attend a festival after the race.

The festival will have educational booths, food and live music. Prizes will be given to the winners of the race and for creative costumes, which are highly encouraged.

Participants may sign up for $12 on the ASI website.

MUSTANG NE WS FILE PHOTO BEST DRESSED | To add fun, costumes are encouraged for the 5k. Above, participants from the 2015 race pose.

‘Black Comedy’ seeks to enlighten audiences Brendan Abrams @BrendanAbrams

It’s hard to go wrong with the classic tropes of comedy and drama. Forbidden love and grand larceny, especially when combined by the British into a farcical stage production, are simply par for the course.

Those tropes and that genre are MUSTANG NE WS FILE PHOTO exactly what audiences should expect to get when experiencing

A NEW PERSPECTIVE | Following a pair of thieves,“Black Comedy” will illuminate what happens in the dark.

CALLING ALL DESIGNERS*

*Non-majors welcome to apply

WE’RE HIRING. WHAT WE DO We design advertisements for local clients as well as marketing materials for events that Mustang News hosts on- and off-campus.

WHO WE WANT If you can handle multiple projects, work well in a fast-paced environment, and thrive on collaboration, this is the job for you.

INTERESTED? Please email your resume and portfolio to Jordan Triplett. triplett03@sbcglobal.net

the Cal Poly Theatre and Dance Department’s “Black Comedy,” playing in Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre May 12-14 and 19-21 at 8 p.m.

“Black Comedy” may profess to be a farce, but it is far from lacking in creativity. The script, written by Peter Shaffer and first performed in 1965, details the plight of a young couple whose thievery is foiled by an unexpected power outage. Though

the characters get left in the dark, the audience sees things in a whole new light.

“When it’s light out, it’s dark on stage, and when it’s dark outside, it’s light on stage,” director Josh Machamer said. “It’s really trying to explore the idea of what happens in the dark.”

Tickets are $12-$20 and are available at pacslo.org or the Performing Arts Center (PAC) ticket office.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

ARTS | 6

Exploring Southeast Asia: Southbound in Thailand

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Rebecca Ezrin is a journalism junior studying abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand. With many class field trips and personal trips planned, her adventures are virtually endless. She aims to share her authentic experiences and what she has learned. Over spring break, she travelled south to Bangkok and then the Thai islands.

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Bangkok

Bangkok is Thailand’s capital and most populated city, with more than 8 million people and comprising approximately 12 percent of the country’s population. Rooftop bars are a common tourist attraction, giving tourists a 360-degree view of the city’s giant buildings, some of which reach 80 floors tall.

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Krabi

Located on the west coast of Southern Thailand is the province of Krabi, which includes more than 80 smaller islands, such as the well-known Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta. This photograph was taken on Railay beach, which is made up of limestone rock faces.

It attracts rock climbers from all corners of the world. The location also serves as a venue for the annual Rock and Fire Festival.

Garra rufa

When I reached Ko Samui, I decided it was time for me to “test the waters” by going to a fish spa. This process involves several small fish, known as Garra Rufa or “doctor fish,” which suck the dead skin off of people’s feet. The sensation was tickly and weird, but it definitely smoothed my skin. In Middle Eastern countries, “doctor fish” are used medically to treat those with skin diseases, but in Thailand they are simply used for beauty purposes.

PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason Hung, Illiana Arroyos, Andrew Epperson, Christa Lam, Gabby Pajo, Hanna Crowley ILLUSTRATOR Roston Johnson ADVERTISING MANAGER Maddie Spivek ADVERTISING DESIGN MANAGER Jordan Triplett PRODUCTION MANAGER Erica Patstone MARKETING MANAGER Ross Pfeifer ASSISTANT ADVERTISING MANAGERS Anna Seskind, Sam Patterson SENIOR ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS C.J. Estores, Kristen Corey ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Madison Flemming, Victoria Howland, Emily Manos, Clara Howley, Levi Adissi, Luke Bickel, Tara Heffernan, Darcie Castelanelli, Joseph Pack

Moon Party

Once a month, the Thai islands celebrate a “Half Moon Party,” in addition to a “Full Moon Party.” “Full Moon Parties” in Ko Phangan attract up to 30,000 people every month. The parties are full of fire dancers and tourists dressed up in neon, giving off a rave-like theme. Though I was only able to attend the “Half Moon Party” on Ko Phangan’s neighboring island of Ko Samui, it was pretty spectacular nonetheless.

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Fire Dance

When I got to Ko Phi Phi, I realized that fire dancing was hugely cultural for southern Thailand. Every night there was a fire dancing performance on the beach outside of our hostel. Some of the boys performing were as young as seven years old. Pictured, a fire dancer carries a tourist under the “limbo” stick. Hundreds of years ago, fire performing was introduced to Thailand by Polynesians.

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Monkey Beach

The next day, we took a boat tour around Ko Phi Phi. Our first stop was Monkey Beach. Though I had come into contact with Southeast Asia’s aggressive monkeys before, they continuously caught me off guard as they spontaneously attacked people and stole belongings. Apparently they were in search of bananas.

Maya Bay

Our final destination before ending spring break was Maya Bay, where we went snorkeling. The Bay has been a huge tourist attraction since The Beach was filmed there in 1999. Because of this, many people around the world who have not even heard of the Phi Phi islands have still heard of Maya Bay.

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Thursday, May 12, 2016

SPORTS | 8

Baseball struggles against Bulldogs, drops fourth in a row

HANNA CROWLEY | MUSTANG NE WS FALLING SHORT | After falling to Fresno State 9-5 on Tuesday night, the Mustangs have now lost four in a row and seven of their last eight games. The Mustangs look to break the losing streak at home on Friday evening.

Ameilia Parreira @AmeliaParreira

The Cal Poly baseball team lost its eighth out of the past nine games on Tuesday night, falling 9-5 to Fresno State.

The Mustangs (26-21, 7-8 Big West) had a chance to win the game in the ninth inning, but a groundout by

freshman shortstop Kyle Marinconz stranded three runners and ended the game, marking Cal Poly’s fourth straight loss.

A total of five Cal Poly pitchers took the mound against the Bulldogs (33-17, 19-8 Mountain West), including four in the seventh inning alone. Freshman starter Bobby Ay pitched

4.2 innings and gave up six earned runs. The setback knocked Ay’s ERA up to 5.40.

The Bulldogs had the opportunity to score more than nine runs, but the Mustangs’ defense kept its composure despite its two-error performance. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning, reliever

Thomas Triantos induced an infield fly and a flyout to end the inning.

The Mustangs recorded nine hits in the game. Marinconz, senior center fielder John Schuknecht and junior third baseman Michael Sanderson each contributed two hits. Freshman right fielder Nick Meyer brought in two of Cal Poly’s three RBIs.

With 10 games left in the regular season, the Mustangs still have a mathematical chance to regain their first place slot in the conference, though it’s unlikely.

The Mustangs kick off a three-game series against UC Irvine at 6 p.m. on Friday in Baggett Stadium. Game coverage will be live-streamed on mustangnews.net.

Check mustangnews.net Friday at 6 p.m. to watch live coverage of Cal Poly baseball taking on UC Irvine!